AIRFIELD AT RANGIORA
Possible Use Bv N.A.C.
Arrangements for the compilation of authenticated weather information at Rangiora airfield are being sought with a view to having the field licensed as a National Airways alternative to Christchurch airport. The corporation’s present Christchurch alternative is Ashburton.
The weather data are being sought by the Canterbury Aero Chib which has written to the Civil Aviation Administration asking if meteorological observations taken at Ashley State Forest headquarters not far away would be acceptable.
The chief instructor of the aero club (Mr Ivan Gundersen) yesterday confirmed that the move had been made.
“The locals say, and I am prepared to believe them on my own experience, that the two airports are never fogbound at the same time—it is either one or the other.” he said.
“That points to the future use of Rangiora as an alternative to Harewood. If the forest observations are acceptable then after 12 months we could hope somebody might take an interest in making Rangiora a N.A.C. diversion field to Harewood which is much closer than the present nearest alternative at Ashburton,” he said. Regular Users
Already Rangiora field has come into use as a port for aircraft other than the aero club machines which are its most regular users. North Island commercial operators have been dropping passengers in there on occasions and two aerial farming organisations have expressed an interest in nominating Rangiora as their base. . , J One firm is Aerial Sowing (Canterbury) Ltd., and the other is a major operator who has not vet confirmed his intentions.
Operators will be permitted to hangars on the field for pavment of a small ground rental. The club has no intentions at the present time of constructing a hangar. Its finances are already committed to a clubhouse which it is hoped to finish in the next two or three months, the installation of refuelling facilities, including an underground tank and a pump which should be working in about a week, and concrete slabs sunk in the field for aircraft tiedown points. Mr Gundersen said that tn<_ Rangiora airfield was in excellent condition having been rolled at the end of the winter. ’ Quite frankly, it is very much smoother than the grass areas at Harewood,” he said.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28985, 28 August 1959, Page 17
Word Count
374AIRFIELD AT RANGIORA Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28985, 28 August 1959, Page 17
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